Norway

Norway is a long, narrow country on the northwestern edge of the European continent. The northern third of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle and is called the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Because this region is so far north, it has long periods every summer when the sun shines 24 hours a day. Oslo, Norway's capital and largest city, is in the southern part of the country.

A Short Background

Despite its neutrality, Norway was not able to avoid occupation by Germany in World War II. In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO.

Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Geographic coordinates:

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Population:

4,503,440 (July 2001 est.)

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997)

Languages:

Norwegian (official) note:  small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Currency:

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Currency code:

NOK

Exchange rates:

1 EURO to Norwegian Kroner: 8,179 (April 2004)